Type-writer-platen-actuating mechanism.



APPLICATION FILED FEB.1,1911.

Patented July 30, 1912.

H. BATES. TYPE WRITER PLATEN AGTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJ, 1911.

1,034,058. Patented July 30,1912.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY BAT-ES, OF WEST GOPAKE, NEW YORK.

'IYPE-WRITER-PLATEN-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

shaft or axis, or a fulcrumed hand-lever provided on its lower end with an arcuate rack engaging a pinion or cog-wheel on the platen-shaft. In the case of the hand twirler, it usually requires several separate movements of the opera-tors hand properly to position the paper on the platen, the twirler being somewhat objectionable for this reason; and the handdever, with its associated parts, is more or less complicated, and, in this respect, is objectionable, also.

The fundamental objects of this invention, therefore, are inter alia, ,to provide novel means for quickly and easily feeding paper to position on a typewriter platen, with but a single movement of the operators hand, and to furnish a mechanism of this description which Will dispense with the laborious twirling of the typewriter-platen hand- Wheel, in feeding a paper or envelop to position upon, or in discharging it from, the platen.

A subsidiary object is to provide a device of the character outlined, which will embody the maximum of simplicity of construction, of practicability, and of ease of operation, with a minimum of cost to manufacture".

The device is designed to be susceptible of manufacture at such a figure as not to add materially to the cost of any typewriter to which it may be applied.

Another subsidiary object is to provide a device which will be very compact and of inconsiderable size, whereby it may be attached to a typewriter without presenting an unsightly appearance, or be unduly conspicuous, and without being in the way of any of the movable arts of the typewriter, or of the hands of t 1e typewritist in manipulating the keys of the typewriter, etc.

With the above, specifically-stated objects in view,-and of others, going to make up Specification in" Letters IPatent.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Application filed February 1, 1911. Serial No. 605,983.

the ultimateperfection of the invention in tozfo, which will appear as the specification proceeds and the nature of the invention more fully appears,the invention comprebends, in its broadest aspect, the employment of spring-actuated means for rotating the typewriter-platen in a rearward direc-v tion so as to feed the typewriter-paper to position on the platen, or to discha'r e the paper (or envelop) therefrom; and t e invention resides, particularly, in the novel construct-ion, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, I have shown four forms of embodiment of my invention, for purposes of illustratory example; it being understood, of course, that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For purpose of clearer and more salient exhibition of my invention, I have omitted, in the drawing, illustration of all parts of a typewriter not correlated or germane to the invention at issue, as being entirely su 'i.

perfluous to an understanding of my invention.

The different figures of the drawings may be briefly described as follows:

Figure l is an end view, partly in section, of the preferred form of my improvements, showing the initial operat ng-rod or lever in normal position; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the position of the parts after de pression of the initial operating-rod; Fig. 3 is a view in top plan of my improvements; Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly in "section, of my in1pro\-'ements.. 5 is an end view, in elevation, showing a modified form. of my invention, and illustrating the different parts, as regards their respective positions, before actuation thereof; Fig.6 is a similar View, showing the respective positions of the different parts after initial movement thereof; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, in front elevation, of said modified form of invention, certain parts being broken away; Fig. 8 is a view, similar to Fig. 5, showin another modified form-of my invention; an Fig. 9 is a view,.in end elevation, exhibiting still another modified form of my invention.

Referring, now, in detail to the drawings and, first, to Figs. 1 to 4 thereofrA desig- Ifates a typewriter-platen, havin a shaft or axis a, on the endof which may e the usual hand-twirler A. Loosely mounted on said shaft is a ratchet-wheel a engaged by a spring-pressed pawl 11 pivoted at a to one of the end faces -of the platen, the pawlspring being designated by a. Conveniently, said ratchet-wheel, pawl and spring maybe disposed in a cavity or recess a in said-end face of the platen. This is given as an example of a simple form of clutch, but any suitable form of clutch may, of

' a course,'beused-. Also loosely mounted on said shaft (1 and integral with, or rigidly attached to, said ratchet-wheel a is a smaller ratchet-wheel a2, It will be obvious that movement of the ratchet-wheel a in one positi'on, 2'. -e.,-'to the left in Fig. 1, will not I revolve 'ythe typewriter-platen, since the "ratehet-wheels a and q areloose on the shaft (1, and the awl a slips idly over the teeth'of the whee a and that movement in the reverse direction'.wil1 revolve the platen, since the pawl a on ages a' tooth of the ratchet-wheel a and t us locks said ratchetwheel and connected or integral wheel a, to said platen, a ainst movement independent -the'reof, 'whe e y-the ratchet-wheels a and a5 and platen-A revolve together, and thus the platen A is revolved rearward, i. e., in

i the direction to'cause' the positioning of the paper or envelop upon the platen A. Disposed in proximity to said ratchet-wheel a is mechanism for revolving the same, and which may take various forms.

' My preferred form of mechanism is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and will now be described B designates a vertically-disposed and vertically-reciprocable member, which,-

in this instance, comprises an'open-ended,

oblong box, casing, or shell (the particular shape being immaterial), carrying, along the vertical side thereof adjacent the ratchet-wheel a", ratchet-teeth b, constituting a rack, cooperable with the ratchetwheel a. While I have shown, as an ex- V ample, ratchet-teeth on the wheel a and on to a bridge or overhead bracket b and the other end thereof secured to the top of said shell B. A vertically-disposed and vertically-recip'rocable stem, or red C works through the bridge I); a coiled spring 0, encircling said stem and bearing at one end a ainst the lower surface of the key a carried at the top of said rod G and, at its lower end, against the upper surface of the bridge b serving to maintain the rod C in normal position and, after depression of said rod, to return it to normal position. Dogs or fingers c 0 are pivotally secured, near one end thereof, to the lower end of said rod C, the other end of said dogs, in the normal position of the shell B, being engageable in notches N, b on the inner surface of the two vertical end walls I), b of said shell. Coiled springs 0 0 one end thereof being secured to the rod 0 and the other end thereof to the dogs 0 0", serve to maintain the dogs normally in engagement with the shell B. It will be noted that the dogs 0 constitute a clutch between the rod C and the shell B, and, while I have shown these dogs as an example of a simple and convenient form of clutch, other forms of clutches may be used, if desired.

represents a vertical bracket carried by the typewriter-carriage X, and having a longitudinal slot 03. Vertically-adjustable in, and projecting at both ends through, said -slot d is a shaft 03, projecting, also, through a longitudinal slot 6 in'the side wall Z) of the shell B. The slots dgand b are parallel. The end of the shaft ti interiorly of the shell B carries a stop or abutment d, preferably triangular shaped in transverse section. The opposite end of the shaft (1 is threaded, as shown at' (1 on which is threaded a thumb-nut (1 which nut, when tightened, clamps the shaft d to the bracket D in any desired position of raised or lowered adjustment, and thus, consequently,

holding the stop d in any )osition of raised or lowered adjustment. T e portion of the shaft (1 extending from the stop (Z to the bracket D is square in transverse section, as shown at d (Fig. 3), thence onward to the threaded end (1 thereof is reduced in width and is circular in transverse section. It will be noted that the square portion (i of the shaft is of greater width than the slot (1 in the bracket D, so that the portion (8 of the shaft may be clamped against the bracket D by means of the adjusting-nut (Z.

The operation of the device is apparent, but, briefly described, it is as follows: The operator presses down upon the key 0, and the rod C, through thetclutch-device c c forces the shell B dowiiward, until the inner, adjacent ends of the fingers or dogs '0 0 contact with the apex of the triangular-shaped stop (1 which will rock said fingers on their pivots, thus (as shown in Fig. 2) releasing said fingers from engagement with the shell B and permitting return of the shell to normal position, independent of the return of the rod C to normal position. In the downward movement of the shell B, the rack]; meshes with the ratchet-wheel of, rotating the same, but thisdirection of rotation of the ratchet-wheel effects no'ro'tation of the platen, it is to beremembered. Howevenas soon as the shell B is released from engagement with the dogs 0 c (as shown in Fig. 2), the springs b, 6 return the shell B to normal position, and consequently rotate the ratchet-wheel in a direction the reverse of that just described, and, with said ratchet-wheel a", the ratchet-wheel a, with the result that the platen A is revolved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, to feed the paper or envelop to position upon the platen, or to discharge the paper or envelop thereof, if it is already upon the platen and writing thereupon has been completed. By adjusting the stop all up or down, contact between the stop and the fingers 0 0 may be effected at differing periods in thedownward movement of the shell B, and, thus, the de ree or amount of revolution of the plate A may be adjusted, as desired by theoperator. Referring, now, to Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawings: 1 designates a typewriter-platen, and 2 the shaft or axis thereof; 3, the usual hand-twirler. Loosely mounted on said shaft is a ratchet-wheel 4t engaged by a spring-pressed pawl 5 pivoted at 6* to one of the end faces of the platen, the pawlspring being designated by 6. Conveniently, said ratchet-wheel, pawl, and spring may be disposed in a cavity 7 in said end face of thepIat-en. This is given as an example of a simple form of clutch, but any suitable form of clutch may, of course, be used. Also loosely mounted on said shaft 2, and integral with or rigidly connected to, said ratchet-wheel 4, is a small 'pinion or cogwheel 8. It will be obvious that movement of said pinion or cog-wheel 8 in the direction of the arrow on the ratchet-wheel 4,

in Fig. 1, willnot revolve the typewriter-' platen, since the cog-wheel is loose on the shaft 2 .and the pawl 5 slips idly over the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 4; but that movement of said pinion 8 in the reverse direction will revolve the platen, since the pawl engages a tooth of the ratchet-wheel 4 and thus locks said ratchet-wheel and connected pinion 8 to said platen, against movement independent thereof, whereby the cog-wheel 8, ratchet-wheel 4, and platen 1 revolve together, and thus the'.platen' is revolved rearward, to cause the positioning of the paper or envelop upon, or discharge thereof from, the platen. Disposed in proximity to said cog-wheel 8 is mechanism for revolving the same. This mechanism may take various forms, but I have found that about to be described to be desirable: Disposed in proximity to said cog-wheel 8 is a bar or plunger 9, supported for vertically-reciprocatorg movement in any suitable or preferred manner,in this instance, I have shown, as an example, a guide-tube or dash-pot 10 se'- cured to the typewriter carriage. The upper portion of this plunger is rovided, on each of its two longitudinal end edges, with cogteeth 11,-the upper portion of the plunger thus constituting 'a rack 12. The normal position of the plunger 9, when not in use, is with its rack 12 above and thus out of engagement with the cog-wheel 8, so that the platen 1 may be free to be rotated back and forth by the hand-twirler 3, if desired, as for making corrections on preceding lines of matter written upon the paper on the platen. Means for yieldingly retaining this rack 12 in said normal position thereof are provided, and, while these yielding-means may take various forms, I prefer to use a coil-spring, as I havefound this to be very efficacious sandv advantageous for the purpose in view; and I have, therefore, shown, as an example of such yielding means, a

coiled spring13, which is fixed at its upper end to some rigid or stationary part, such as an overhead, stationary bracket 14 carried by the typewriter-carriage.

Means are provided for causing vertically reciprocatory movement of the plunger 9 and with it the rack 12. These means may take various forms; in this instance, I have,

as an example, shown a wheel 16 revoluble on a stationary pivot 17 and provided, along a portion of its periphery, with teeth 15,

meshing with the teeth 11 on one side of the raclq12, the teeth on the opposite side being adapted to engage with the cog-wheel 8, as above noted. While I have shown in the drawing a coiled spring 18 secured at one end to said wheel'16 and at its other end to a fixed part of the typewriter, to assist in returning the wheel-l6. to normal position, after partial revolution thereof, yet said spring is, really, unnecessary, and maybe omitted, the sprmg 13 being sufficient, of and by itself alone, to return all of the parts to normal position after actuation thereof. As a convenient means for actuating said wheel 16, I have shown a rod 19, which may be supported for operative movement in said bracket 14, or in any other manner, as may be desired, and is pivotally connected, at its lower extremity, to said wheel 16.

The operation of the device of Figs. 5 to 7 will now be apparent from the above description of thedlfierent parts, taken in connection with the drawing; but, briefly described, it is as follows: When the type writist desires to feed a'p'aper-sheet or envelop to, or to dischar e it from, the platen,

she presses with her nger down upon the rod 19, which partially rotates the wheel 16 and, with it, the intermeshing rack 12 is forced downward, bringing its teeth on one side into engagement with the cog-wheel 8, but this downward movement of the rack and consequent rotation of the cogwvheel, it is to be remembered, causes no movement (rotation) of the platen 1: however, as soon 14 and the lower end to the rack 20, the stem' &

-direction,the reverse of that just described above, and causing backward revolution of the platen 1 (through ratchet-wheel 4 and pawl 5), whereby the paper-sheet or envelop.

is fed quickly to position on the platen, or, if the sheet or envelop is already on the platen and printing upon said sheet or envelop has been completed, it is discharged from the platen. The operation, it will be noted, is very simple and easy, the spring 13, after depression of the rod 19, automatically operating to feed the paper or envelop ,onto the platen, or to discharge it therefrom.

Referring, now, to the modification shown in Fig. 8: The ratchet-wheel 4, pawl 5, spring 6, and pinion 8 are identical with those shown in the device of the preceding figures, and, are for the same purpose. A vertically-disposed and vertically-reciprocatory rack 20 is disposed in proximity to the pinion 8, the normal position of this rack (as with the rack 11 of the device of the preceding 'figures) being out. of engagement with; the pinion 8. A stem 23 passes down through a stationary bracket 14 and, at its lower extremity, carries the rack 20. Maintaining the rack 20 normally out of'en age- .ment. with the pinion is an elastic medium,

in this instance a coiled spring 22, the upper end thereof being secured to the bracket .23 passing down through the center of said spring. While the spring 22 is shown as disposed between the bracket 14. and the upper end of the rack 20, of course it may, if desired, be disposed between the plate 21 and the lower end of the rack 20, this is so obvious as'notto require illustration. Any

suitable means may be provided for guiding the rack 20 in its vertically-rcciprocatory movement: In this instance. I have shown a vertical guide-rod 22 secured to the rack 20 and passing down through the carriage 21 of the typewriter. A collar or button 22 may be secured to the lower end of said rod 22, beneath the plate 21, to act as a stop to limit upward movement of the rod 22, rack 20. and'stem 2,

It will be noticed that the principle of operation of the device of Fig. S is the same as that of the device of the preceding figures (5, 6 and 7): the rebound of the spring 22, after depression of the stem 23, causing the platen 1 to be revolved rearward to feed the paper or envelop to position upon the platen, or to discharge it therefrom. The principal difference in structure between the device of Fig. 8 and that of the preceding figures is that the wheel 16 of the device of Figs. 5 to 7 is omitted, thus, to this extent,

'upon said effecting a simplification of-structure and a reduction in cost of manufacture.

Referring, now, to the device shown in Fig. 9: Here, the ratchet-wheel 4, pawl 5, spring 6, and pinion 8 are the same as in the preceding figures, and have the same function and operation In roximity to the pinion 8 is a horizontally disposed and horizontally-reciprocable rack 24, the normal position of the rack beingout of en agement with the pinion. An elastic medium, such as a coiled spring 25, is secured at its rear end to the vertical bracket 26 carried by the typewriter, and, at its other end, to a pin 25 carried by the rack 24. Any suitable means for guiding the rack in its reciprocatory movement may be provided: In this instance, I have shown a guide-rod 28 working through said bracket 26 and through a bearing 26 carried by said bracket. A horizontal stem 27 is secured to said rack, for manipulation thereof. The principle of operation of this form of device is the same as in the devices of the preceding figures (5 to 8). The principal difference in structure is .that the wheel 16 of the device of Figs. 5 to 7 is omitted, thus, in'this respect, effecting a simplification of structure and a consequent reduction in costof manufacture. It will be noted that, in the device of Fig. 9, the

operator pulls outward upon the stem 27, instead of pressing down upon the stems 19 and 23 of the devices of the preceding figures.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

1. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of' means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward, a spring, and means for distorting said spring from normal attitude, the rebound of said spring, after distortion thereof, revolving said pinion rearward.

In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen. comprehending: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft. means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in unison. when said pinion is revolved rearward, a spring. and a mannally-operable member for distorting said spring from normal attitude, the rebound of said spring. after distortion thereof. involving said pinion rearward.

In a typewriter, the combination with 'a platen having an axial shaft movable in plni ab e.

unison therewith, of means for feedin a printing paper-sheet or envelop. to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move theplaten and pinion in unison, when said i is revolved rearward, a rack engage- 'ith said pinion, a spring normally maintaining said rack out of engagement with said pinion, and means for actuating rack in one direction to traverse said pinion and for distending said sprif g /the rebound of said spring, after saiddistention thereof, actuating said rack in. the opposite or reverse direction and revolving said pinion rearward. p

4. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axialshaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means ftp locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in: unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward, a member carrying a rack engageable with said pinion, a spring for normally maintaining said member with its rack out of'engagementwith said pinion, means engaging said member for, actuating the same to cause its rack to traverse said pinion and to cause distortion ofsaid spring, the rebound thereof actuating said rack in the reverse. direction and revolving said pinion rearward, and means for causing automatic release from said member of said means engaging said member, at a predetermined point in the travel of said member.

5. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move theplaten and pinion in unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward, a member carrying a rack engageable with said pinion, a spring for normally maintaining said member wlth its rack out of e'ngagement'wlth said pinion, means engaging said member for actuating the same to cause its rack to traverse said pinion and to cause distortion of said spring, the rebound thereof actuating said rack in the reverse direction and revolving said pinion rearward, and an adjustable stop for causing automatic release from said member of said means engaging said member. at-ia predetermined point in the travel of said member.

6. in a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop, to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in unison,-w hen said pinion isrevolved rearward, a member carrying a rack engageable with said pinion, a spring for normally maintaining said member with itseracl; out of engagement with said'pinion,

a manually-operable member, a clutch between said manually-operable member and said rack-carrying member, and means for causing automatic release of said clutch from engagement with said rack-carrying member, at a predetermined point in the op eration of said manually-operable member.

7. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means ,for feeding a. printing paper-sheet or envelop to'position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward', a member carrying a rack engageable with said pinion, a-

sprmg normally maintaining said member with its rack out of engagement with said pinion, a manually-operable member, pivoted means carried by said manually-operable member and forming a clutch between said manually=operable member and said rack-carrying member, and means for causing automatic release of said clutch from engagement with said rack-carrying member, at a predetermined point in the opera-- tion of said manually-operable member.

8. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen' and pinion in unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward, a member. 'earrying a rack engageable lwith said pinion, a spring normally maintaining said member with its rack out of engagement with said pinion, a manually-operable member, fingers pivoted to the lower end of said n'ianually-operable member and" normally engaging said rackcarrying -'member, forming a clutch between said manually-operable member and said rack-carrying member, and means for causing automatic release of said fingers from engagement with said rack-carrying member, at a predetermined point in the operation of said manually-operable member.

9. In atypewriter, the combination with a platen, having an axial shaft movable in unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen, including: a pinion loosely mounted on said shaft, means for locking said pinion to said platen, to move the platen and pinion in unison, when said pinion is revolved rearward, a member carrying a rack engageable with said pinion, a spring normally maintaining said member with its rack out of engagement with said pinion, a manually-operable member, fingers pivoted to the lower end of said manuallyoperable member and normally engaging said rack-carrying rnember, forming a clutch between said manually-operable member and said rack-carryingmember, means for causing automatic release of said fingers from engagement with said rack-carrying member, at a predetermined point in the operation of said manually-operablemember, and means for automatically and independently returning said manually-operable member to normal position after operation thereof.

10. In a typewriter, the combination with a platen having an axial shaft movablein unison therewith, of means for feeding a printing paper-sheet or envelop to position upon said platen, including: a pinion mountedon said shaft, a spring, and means for distorting said spring from normal attitude, the rebound of said spring, after distortion thereof, revolving said pinion and platen rearward. l a

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Y HARRY BATES.

Witnesses M. W. JOHNSON, E. T. BRANDENBURG.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

7 Washington, I). ,G. 

